If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1Jo 1:9)
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if also I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I don't count myself to have laid hold: but one thing [i do], forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
(Phi 3:12-14)
Dandygirl,
If Christ forgave you, and we are told to press on, then that's what you need to do. There is nothing you can do about the past, and nothing you need to do to "earn" forgiveness. Sure, if you have hurt someone, it's good to try and help them or make it right, but you can accept the forgiveness and move on. Getting down over it and hanging on to it, allowing it to dictate how you live your life today, is allowing the enemy to mess with you and make you ineffective in the present cause you are dwelling on the past. The word also says God's mercies are new every morning. We get to wake up and start over! And you just keep doing that day by day minute by minute. No, it's not a license to keep sinning, knowing you can get forgiven but it is God's grace saying I know you are human and weak, and my grace is sufficient for you. Receive it and seek Him, take His hand, let him dust you off and get back in the race. He knows your heart, and He will make you stronger as You keep surrendering to Him.
Father, I ask that Your Holy Spirit would minister to Dandygirl and free her from the burden she carries. Help her to accept Your forgiveness and move on. Help her to live in the present, knowing she is washed clean and a child of God. And help her to fill her mind and heart with You, more each day. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
This I recall to my mind; therefore I have hope. [it is of] Yahweh's loving-kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
(Lam 3:21-23)